Navy Buys Lots More Fighters; Ships Up Slightly But 355 Not In Sight

PENTAGON: The U.S. Navy’s budget is growing by over $12 billion in 2019, and more ships are on their way – but not enough to get to the hoped-for 355-ship fleet any time before the 2050s. In unveiling its $194.1 billion budget for the 2019 fiscal year on Monday, Navy officials highlighted the increase in research & development and operations & maintenance budgets, and the continued movement in the Ford-class carrier and Columbia-class submarine.

At the same time the service quietly acknowledged that it wouldn’t reach 355 ships for more than 30 years, taking a steady-as-she-goes approach to a plan that was loudly endorsed by then-candidate Trump on the campaign trail in 2016 and President Trump has reiterated.

Read the full article in Breaking Defense.